Capital Region Programs

RJ programs in Greater Victoria include the following. Please contact any which interest you and request their brochure.

Peninsula Cross Roads Community Justice Program

This Program, founded in 1999 after a year of community education, serves the Saanich Peninsula and School District #63. Cases, about 30 per year, are referred to it for community conferences by the Sidney detachment of the RCMP, the Central Saanich Police and area high schools. The Program is guided by a 15-member Executive Committee; there are 40 members ($5/yr.); 20 are trained facilitators. In the Royal Oak, Bayside and North Saanich Middle Schools, a Restitution program is provided during the lunch period 4, 4 and 2 days a week respectively; 400 youth were involved during the last year. A Girls' Circle program is also provided in these Middle Schools serving some .50 girls in the last 12 months. For more information, contact Liz Cox, Chair, 656-5424 <eocox@shaw.ca>

Restorative Justice - Oak Bay

Restorative Justice Oak Bay (RJOB) began when citizens interested in finding a powerful, healing response to crime met in May, 2001. RJOB evolved into a non-profit in December, 2003 as the Oak Bay Restorative Justice Society. Dozens of conferences have been held since its inception with mostly, but not exclusively, young people. There is vast support for the Society from the community at large, and 14 paid members, half of whom are trained facilitators. RJOB has conducted orientation sessions with the Oak Bay Police and is developing work within Oak Bay High School as well as ongoing community education on Restorative Justice. For more information, please contact Community Chair Tara Ney (taraney@shaw.ca) or Coordinator Kirsten Chan 818-7562 <rj.oak.bay@gmail.com>

Restorative Justice - Victoria

After an initial meeting early in 2002, RJ - Victoria had its
inaugural meeting at Victoria City Hall in July, 2003. Following community meetings, fund raising and police liaison in 2004, it signed a one year pilot project agreement with the Victoria Police in March 2005 and incorporated as a Society in July, 2005, Currently, it has 40
members, 31 of them being trained facilitators; many cases were completed in the last 12 months (Aug.'07 - Aug. '08), mostly with young, first-time offenders. Orientation sessions have been held with the Victoria Police watches; training its own members is an ongoing process. RJ Victoria also has volunteers working in the Restitution Program at Central Middle School and a Theatre Outreach Project underway.  For more information, contact Chair Penny Joy (383-5801; <pjoy@shaw.ca> ) or Coord.  Geanine Robey (213-3128); <rjvic@telus,net>

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Sooke Restorative Justice Program

This Program began in Sept-ember, 2001.  The program is supported through donations and support from the Sooke Community and Police Consultative Group (CPC), the Sooke City Council, and a small start-up grant from the Capital Regional District.  Since it's small beginnings, the program has conferenced dozens of youth and adults from the community, averaging 2-4 conferences per month.  While most referrals come via the Sooke R.C.M.P., local schools, businesses and the Ministry of Children and Families also refer conference candidates.  This small program has managed with between 2-4 active facilitators and a conference coordinator, and is about to embark on a volunteer recruitment campaign.  For more infor-mation, contact coordinator Ceri Sanderson (217-5114, or sanders4@shaw.ca).
 

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Saanich Community Justice Initiatives

Saanich Community Justice Initiatives is an innovative out of court process to deal with an offence. It is an alternative to the traditional justice system and is based on Restorative Justice practices. The victim is central to the process, the accused is held accountable for their behavior and dialogue among all persons involved in the incident is encouraged. The program has three models, each model varies in who participates in the process. The program is provided by the John Howard Society of Victoria.
1. Community Conferencing brings together the victim, the accused and their respective support groups with a trained volunteer facilitator. Victims and their support group’s express what actions they feel are needed to repair the harm and address the accused behaviour.
2. The Resolution Meeting The victim and accused are interviewed separately to clarify the purpose and process of a resolution meeting. The victim and accused meet face-to-face, where they can express feelings and reach new understandings, decide together what will best repair the harm done, and begin the process of putting the incident to rest in order to move forward.
3. Diversion This model is used when the victim does not wish to meet with the accused in person. The victim is contacted by the JHS to encourage their input into the agreement. An agreement is formulated to complete particular tasks within a given time. Included in the agreement are the victim’s wishes, referrals to community resources and any terms and conditions appropriate for the offence.
Persons eligible for the program are those who could be charged for an offence by the Saanich Police Department. The accused must acknowledge and take full responsibility for their behaviour. The accused must be willing to comply with the conditions of a Community Justice Agreement. Cases are referred to the John Howard Society, Community Justice Program by the Saanich Police Department. For further information contact Shirley Williams-Yuen - 386-3428 or <jhs@johnhoward.victoria.bc.ca>

Salt Spring Island Restorative Justice Program is a community-based program focused on bringing together victims and offenders to repair harm done.  By working with Community Services, the RCMP, Crown Counsel, Probation Offices, the School District and the greater community and family we provide a safe and confidential place for offenders to take accountability and to repair the damage and harm that has been inflicted on the victim.  e. g.    

• Increase community involvement with youth and individuals at risk

• Improve community relationships with RCMP and Victim Services

• Increase understanding of Restorative Justice in the Community

• Provide support to victims and offenders going through process

• Provide an alternative method to solving conflict 

2007-08 Services        Referrals

Number of cases:  17 RCMP  10

Successful resolutions:  14 Victim services  3

Unsuccessful Resolution: 3 (1 where Crown Counsel  3

individual opted for court; 2 where Probation øffice  2

victim chose not to participate)

Age Range:  12-60

Outcomes:

We have an 82% rate of successful completion where both victim and offender are satisfied with the process.  The involvement of these individuals in the program has for the victim provides as sense of closure and recovery.  For the offender, this program provides the knowledge that they are respected members of the community and have the support and confidence of those that they have affected (the victim, community, family and friends).

Activities and Accomplishments:

• Bi-annual training programs • Vancouver Island  R. J.  Association

• Presentations to RCMP, Schools and Community Associations

 • International and national Conferences 

The RJ Coalition at Wm. Head Institution

The Coalition was formed in July of 1998 at the Institution which has a waterfront location in Metchosin about 40 km. from downtown Victoria; most of the volunteers drive from Greater Victoria for the group's weekly meetings - some 400 now. Volunteers and inmates sit in a circle and engage in an RJ dialogue which leads to understanding and, hopefully, to healing; correctional and program staff are welcome to participate and new volunteers are encouraged to join. All are expected to practice respect for themselves and other participants, even in the face of apparent disrespect. From these facilitated meetings ideas emerge which lead to other activities inside and outside WHI. Eight public symposia, two workshops and two publications have resulted. A RJC driven work release program led to the creation of a 5,000-brick labyrinth at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria as a 2000 Millennium project. Three documentary films have been made about RJ, one on the labyrinth project. For further information, contact Susan Langlois (250) 652-2903 or David Hough (250) 479-2774 or <houghdd@telus.net>; members since 1998. To contact the Institution, call (250) 391-7000 and ask for the Coordinator of Volunteer Activities.